Page 55 of Anti-Hero (Kensingtons: The Next Generation #2)

M idway through tackling my usual mountain of morning emails, there’s a knock on my door.

“Come in,” I call out.

My new assistant, April, appears a minute later.

Indy recommended I hire her—they had worked together before Indy started at Kensington Consolidated—and so far, April has been as capable as Indy said.

It’s still strange, seeing someone other than Collins sitting at that desk.

But at least now, we can ask each other how our day was and not already know the answer.

“Mr. Kensington is here to see you,” April states.

I frown, quickly glancing at my calendar to make sure I didn’t overlook a meeting. I didn’t.

“Which one?” I clarify.

My grandfather showing up once was shocking. Twice would be even more so.

But I doubt it’s Dad; he would knock himself without sending in my assistant first. Most of the ease that defined our former relationship has returned.

The parts that haven’t—like him simply showing up, instead now texting me about a good time to come by—are a recognition of some necessary boundaries.

“Oliver,” April responds.

“Oh.” I straighten, reaching for the jacket I slung on the back of my chair when I arrived an hour ago.

A formal way to greet your uncle. But he’s not just my uncle; he’s also Kensington Consolidated’s current CEO. And I haven’t seen or spoken to Oliver since my family found out about Collins. I know Oliver knows, and I should’ve been the one to tell him.

“Send him in,” I add.

April nods.

A few seconds later, my uncle enters my office. Oliver’s smiling, which is a relief. And a rare sight, especially at work. He’s always acted more stoic and serious than Dad. A little like Bash and me.

“Hey, Kit. Do you have a minute?”

“Of course. Have a seat.” I reach for my mug of coffee, swallowing a hasty sip to get some more caffeine in my system. Collins and I didn’t get much sleep last night. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine.” He settles in one of the chairs and smiles. “More than fine. I hear congratulations are in order. You’re going to be a dad.”

I relax in response to his warm tone. “Yeah, thanks. I am.”

“I thought I’d let things … settle a little,” Oliver adds tactfully. “And to be clear, I’m here as your uncle, not your boss.”

“Dad and I could’ve used that disclosure at the start of a few more conversations,” I state dryly.

Oliver laughs. “Yeah. It’s a tricky balance. If Rory were coming here instead of heading to law school, I’m not sure how I would handle it.”

“She got in?”

My uncle beams, nodding. “Yesterday.” His expression shifts to serious. “But you didn’t hear that from me. Act surprised when she tells you.”

“I will. But I already told her I was certain she’d get in.”

His smile grows. “Fine. Act like you knew all along.”

“Where did Wren end up applying?”

“Where?” Oliver’s smile turns wry. “That is an excellent question.”

I grin. “Right.”

Wren has always been a wild card. She and I were designated the family troublemakers decades ago. My title might be in jeopardy, thanks to a recent series of responsible decisions, but it sounds like Wren is still earning her label.

“I won’t keep you,” Oliver says, standing. “Just wanted to check in.”

I stand, too, buttoning my jacket. “As your nephew—and your employee—I am sorry for not disclosing everything sooner. I planned for you to hear the news from me; I was just waiting for the right time. Trying to juggle my responsibilities to this company with the new ones outside of it. But I want you to know that I take my role here seriously. I would never intentionally jeopardize it.”

Oliver nods. “I do know that, Kit, but thank you for saying it. And I’m not saying your father acted unreasonably, but I think shock played a role.

” He smiles. “Me calling him Gramps probably didn’t help the situation either.

I don’t think grandfather was a title Crew expected to take on so soon.

You’re a lot like him, and he’s so proud of that.

I also think it makes it hard for him to separate his choices from yours sometimes.

A lot of factors went into his decision to come back here, but most of it was you.

He wanted to see this”—he gestures to my office—“in person. Wanted the relationship with you that we’d both hoped for with our dad.

Finding out you had kept a big secret from him—as your dad and your boss—rattled Crew a bit.

Made him feel like a failure in both roles.

It’s a hard moment as a parent, feeling like your child doesn’t need you anymore, no matter how proud you are. ”

I pick up a pen on my desk and spin it around one finger. “You’re still my uncle right now, right?”

This might be business-related, but it’s not something I’d ordinarily ask my boss.

“Right,” he says slowly, glancing at the couch. “Should I sit back down for this?”

I smile. “No. It’s not bad. I just … Dad brought me this cosmetics company as a possible acquisition right when I started working here.

Things started out strong. We made a solid pitch, and they seemed interested.

And then I got … distracted, and things went quiet for a while.

They’ve met with other companies; we’re not the only ones interested.

I had my team set up a meeting next week, so I know they’re still considering us.

But it’s very possible, maybe even likely, that this deal won’t get over the finish line.

I could go higher with our offer, but that’s a bigger risk.

I’m not even sure this company is worth what we’re offe ring now. So, I—what?”

“Sorry.” Oliver coughs, but it doesn’t totally disguise his laugh. “Sorry, I just …” More laughter. “I can’t believe he Brock’d you and didn’t tell me.”

I frown. “Brock’d? What does that mean?”

Oliver chuckles a few more times before answering, “My first week at Kensington Consolidated, your grandfather gave me a company to look into. Brock Pharmaceuticals. They had decent earnings, solid financials, no red flags anywhere. So, I acquired them. Took us ten years to see any profit.”

“So, my dad gave me this company to not acquire them?”

Oliver chuckles again. “He wants to see what decision you make. A deal might be the right call. Or it might not be. It’s your call. Crew gave you that company because he expects you to be the next CEO of Kensington Consolidated, Kit. So do I. Trust your instincts, and you’ll be fine.”

I nod. “I will.”

He turns to leave, then glances back. “Your grandfather knows about the, er, situation, by the way.”

“Which one?” I ask warily.

“Knowing Hanson, they probably both do. But Arthur, definitely.”

“Dad told him?” I’m a little relieved that I won’t have to. But I’m guessing Grandpa will make me pay for not being the one to inform him by making our first conversation about the topic especially uncomfortable.

Oliver barks a laugh. “No, Crew was definitely intending to have you be the one to handle that discussion with Dad. Dad was the one who told me .”

“Then how did Grandpa find out? ”

“My guess? He worked in this building for forty-three years. He hired half the people who have offices on this floor, and all of them are gossips.”

I groan. “Wonderful.”

I knew it was inevitable the news would spread through the company, but I didn’t realize it was already circulating.

“He asked if it’s a girl or a boy.”

“Oh.” Not the question I would have guessed my grandfather asked. “We’re, uh, waiting to find out.”

Oliver smiles. “We waited too. I’m looking forward to meeting him or her, even if it does make me feel extremely old to have a nephew with a kid of his own.”

I smile back. “Thanks, Great-Uncle .”

“I’m back to being your boss, Kit,” he says, then walks out of my office.